What's Next for Utah Jazz?
The Utah Jazz saw its first pick land at second overall in the NBA Lottery. This will be the highest draft pick since Darrell Griffith went second overall in 1980.
Building a Young Core
Utah Jazz President of Basketball Operations Austin Ainge and general manager Justin Zanik have done well in building a young core. The Jazz enters into the offseason with an impressive young core in Keyonte George, Ace Bailey, Isaiah Collier, Brice Sensabaugh, and Cody Williams.
Retaining Walker Kessler
Walker Kessler only played in five games before suffering a season-ending injury, but his rebounding and interior defense allows Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. to provide the spacing that allows the offense to flow. Kessler is a restricted free agent, meaning the Jazz have rights to match an offer sheet that he may get from another team.
Recent Form
Last result: Utah Jazz 110-125 Milwaukee Bucks (2025-01-28). Recent form (last 2): 0W-0D-2L (LL, most recent first); lost the last 2. | Date | Opponent | Score | | --- | --- | --- | | 2025-01-28 | Milwaukee Bucks | 110-125 |
The Jazz have about $48 million in space under the luxury tax, so there is financial flexibility to sign Kessler with room to spare to fill out the rest of the roster. While the Jazz will not be able to join the list of teams vying for the top free agents, the team has a $15 million mid-level exemption (MLE) to sign role players, preferably guards with shooting skills. Landry Shamet, Luke Kennard, and Quentin Grimes could be options to address that need while using some of the MLE.
There are eleven players under contract for next season which includes standout two-way player Blake Hinson and non-guaranteed contracts with Kyle Filipowski and Svi Mykhailiuk. If those three players are on the 2026-2027 roster, adding the player selected with the second pick and signing Walker Kessler would leave the Jazz with only two roster spots to fill with plenty of MLE and room under the first apron to address their roster needs.